Somaiya Kala Vidya Academy

Empowers traditional artisans through education, training and preservation of their craft

  • Bronze Certified 2023
  • FCRA
  • 80G
  • 12A
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About

  • Headquarters

    Kachchh, Gujarat

  • Since

    2014

Somaiya Kala Vidya, a division of Somaiya Vidyavihar, focuses on providing education and support to traditional artisans of Kutch. It offers design an Read mored business education tailored to the artisans' existing traditions and lifestyles. The institution aims to preserve and protect traditional arts by empowering artisans with knowledge and skills in design, business, and management. By separating design and execution, Somaiya Kala Vidya introduces "design intervention" to help artisans adapt to new markets and increase the value of their craft. Through respect, sharing, and mutual learning, the institution works to raise the standard of living and economic status of artisans while strengthening the vitality and viability of crafts in national and international markets. Somaiya Vidyavihar, the parent organization of Somaiya Kala Vidya, is an educational complex with multiple institutions covering various fields of education. It was established in 1959 by Shri K. J. Somaiya, who had a vision of providing quality education to shape young minds. With a wide range of disciplines and a vibrant campus, Somaiya Vidyavihar serves thousands of students and employs a dedicated faculty and staff.

Demographies Served

Programs

  • Design Programme

    District
    State

    The Design Programme at Somaiya Kala Vidya offers an eleven-month course that equips artisan students with essential design skills and knowledge. The course is structured with sequential class sessions and individual mentoring, allowing students to apply their learnings to their ongoing work. The faculty includes professional design educators and experienced artisan graduates, supplemented by guest speakers, field trips, and abundant resources. The curriculum focuses on recognizing traditional aesthetics, manipulating design elements, market segmentation, visual communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. The course culminates in a final collection showcase and a convocation sale, followed by ten months of mentoring to support students in implementing their newfound skills into their business and work.

  • Business Programme

    District
    State

    The Business Programme at Somaiya Kala Vidya is an eleven-month course that equips artisan designer students with essential business and management skills. It includes creating collections, developing strategies, financial management, production planning, sales optimization, and organizing exhibitions. The course aims to develop research, financial literacy, leadership, and communication skills. Evaluation is done through sales and an oral examination. After the course, students receive ten months of mentoring to implement the learned concepts and showcase their capacity as Artisan Designer BMAs in the Convocation Mela.

  • Learn Textile Programme

    District
    State

    Somaiya Kala Vidya offers a diverse range of textile learning activities. Artisans can learn traditional weaving on a pit loom, incorporating ornamental extra wefts. Block printing is taught with resist techniques using wooden blocks to create intricate patterns. The art of batik involves swift application of wax with wooden blocks for light-on-dark designs. Bandhani, or shibori, teaches tie-dyeing with knots to achieve a dotted pattern. Natural dyeing with substances like indigo and madder requires knowledge of chemistry and mordants. Various embroidery styles, such as Rabari, Suf, Garasia Jat, and Pako, are taught with intricate stitching and mirror work. Additionally, artisans can learn patchwork and appliqué techniques to create larger textile products.

  • Outreach Programme

    Somaiya Kala Vidya conducts impactful outreach projects, empowering artisans across different regions. In the Bhujodi to Bagalkot project, weavers from both regions collaborated to innovate designs for new markets, preserving traditions. The Faradi to Lucknow initiative focused on women artisans in chikan embroidery, teaching them design to enhance their work. Outreach projects like Kutch to Kumaon and Kutch to Ladakh introduced design education and innovation opportunities to artisan communities. These initiatives promote collaboration, skill development, and market access, fostering the preservation and growth of traditional crafts.

Leadership Team

  • Nishit Sangomla

    Director

  • Judy Frater

    Co-Founder

  • Samir S Somaiya

    Chairman

Demographics & Structure

  • No. of Employees

    6-20

M&E

  • Internal, External Assessors

    No

Policies

  • Ethics and Transparency Policies

    No

  • Formal CEO Oversight & Compensation Policy

    No

Political & Religious Declarations

  • On Affiliation if any

    No

  • On Deployment Bias if any

    No

Registration Details

  • PAN Card

    AAATK2133Q

  • Registration ID

    E-7405 / Ahmedabad

  • VO ID / Darpan ID

    GJ/2017/0168973

  • 12A

    AAATK2133QE20214

  • 80G

    AAATK2133QF20217

  • FCRA

    042050090

  • CSR Registration Number

    Not Available

Location

  • Headquarters

    SDB 41/42 Opposite Hari Om Trust Hospital, Adipur, Kachchh, 370205

    Directions
  • Offices in Cities

Other Details

  • Parent Organisation

    K. J. Somaiya Gujarat Trust

  • Type & Sub Type

    Non-profit
    Trust